Likening SCRIPTURES to ourselves…

[Anonymous]

Although I’ve repeatedly heard the same church-manual-answers for interpreting scriptures, there is no law that says there is only one way of understanding scriptures, especially parables full of symbolism. Although the 10 commandments seem pretty straight forward, even “thou shalt not kill” may take on new meaning to vegetarians or war vets.

Many try to make the scriptures history books, emergency prep courses or fortune tellers, but I think the main purpose of the authors (not the political ones) was to help people liken them to themselves, to progress spiritually.

So… I’d like to start exploring scriptures with you all. I don’t think there is just one right way of seeing it, but I do think we could learn from each other & expand our perspectives, which is the heart of the gospel (good news).

I’ll start with my favorite scripture:

“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them & said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” – Luke 17:20-21

“Kingdom” – taken historically or even futuristically (as in after life) may have different meanings… but if I liken it to myself, I think of kingdom as “realm” or experience/interpreation of God – which is always within me.

Another scripture has made me wonder…”Pray without ceasing.” -1Thes 5:17

I’ve been taught to pray formally – “Dear Heavenly Father (then thank Him & ask Him for whatever) then close, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.” I don’t know about you, but I can’t do that all day, without ceasing! Maybe prayer is more like intent & focus. Love is wanting & striving for what is best, through faith (trial & error). So, maybe prayer is similar.

Any thoughts on these or other scriptures are welcome.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for starting the discussion Featherina.

I’d say Pray without ceasing means keep doing it throughout your life. I can’t pray while sleeping, so I can’t literally only pray without ceasing, but I can make sure I keep saying my prayers day after day.

[Anonymous]

I’ll second Hebers interpretation. The people of Alma could no longer pray the traditional prayer. They chose to carry a prayer in their hearts. I imagine if we stood at the judgement and “pray without ceasing” was on the list and you answered I prayed in my heart, sharing my day with you. I think he would see that as fulfilling. I find I pray multiple ways and have for years. I write them, I talk to Him as I drive along, I sometimes sigh and say, “thank you” especially at a particularly scenic view or peaceful feeling. Many of them don’t begin “Dear Heavenly Father.” Many of them do. I feel like he hears them all and enjoys them with me.

That’s my two cents.

[Anonymous]

I think praying without ceasing is when prayer is more like meditation, trying to get your thoughts attuned to the spiritual. It’s not an event (a formal prayer), but a frame of mind.

As to the notion of likening scriptures to ourselves, I think this also means: 1) reflecting on our life events to understand the truths in them, and 2) finding truth in everything, not just scripture.

[Anonymous]

Heber,

Thanks for your encouragement.

I figure, scripture is a potential bridge for the diverging beliefs of mine & of those I love.

So maybe this thread will get me motivated to study them more.

I do think it’s important to vocalize prayers… I loved hearing my dad pray in my behalf & I love hearing my children pray for everyone under the sun!!

Mom3,

Thanks for sharing about how you pray in different ways. I do too.

Part of me feels a little guilty for not formalizing it sometimes, but I’m getting past that.

When I pray vocally in our family, I begin with, “Dear Heavenly Father & Mother….” & close with “in the Spirit of Christ-like Love, Amen.”

Hawkgirl,

I like the idea of praying as a frame of mind – intent.

And I agree that scriptures are only 1 of many possible ways of finding truth.

[Anonymous]

“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease: whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away…

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things…

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these 3; but the greatest of these is charity.” – 1Cor 13: 8,11, 13

What is charity?

“The pure love of Christ” – but what does that mean?

Love is involved in the greatest commandments… to love GOD, OTHERS & OURSELVES.

There are the 5 love languages… gifts, service, words, time & touch… is that what love is about – or is it more?

What happens when we can no longer express love in those ways (like after death)?

I’ve heard that we have energy, even visible by some through “chakras.”

Love is very much tied to faith & hope… hoping for, searching & striving for what is best, through trial & error (faith).

Figuring out what is best isn’t easy… is it best to search for the truth, as ugly & depressing as it can be…

Is it best to use our child-like imaginations to find things that inspire us, even if they ignore truths…

Or maybe a combination of both searching for truth & enjoying inspiration not based on logical truth?

[Author]

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